It is so nice to know friends are always around to support us in our time of LOSS! A moment of silence for the Tigers..... Has nothing to do with prostate cancer but those poor boys sure couldn't get their bats up this series. Just not pumped up I guess

On a more appropriate note...We've passed the 18 month mark and all is well. Paul has been very fortunate and we've managed to escape some of the traitional trials while finding remedy to those left behind more than a decade ago.

We do belong to a couple of other forums but I have to say, this one is by far the most expressive and positive group on the web. I will be forever grateful for the mentoring and warmth that always greets us.

Everything is a test and while there are always answers, we don't always like nor appreciate the messages, we learn from them none the less. They say wisdom comes with age. I think not. Wisdom comes from trials, errors and finally understanding that we are ultimately in control of one sure thing...our faith....faith in our God, faith in his creations and the ability to accept what is and still love.

Often times, what we perceive to be different is still same. The package may seem different but the we've all been given never changes. Life is a lot of gifts wrapped over and over in different colors and different textures. Each time I open this forum I open a gift wrapped in the colors and textures of life, of Gods creations. I sometimes get a laugh, shed a tear or feel the joy for an other as you all pass over mile stones we've already tripped over ourselves. I can't think of any group of people I would rather have stumbled through this last year with than you all Thanks and Be Well,

A very warm expression of feelings, and something we all feel when we hear from you. It's very good to hear how well you all have done over the last 18 months, and it's encouraging to us who have yet to completely heal. I'm sorry for your beloved Tigers, but at least they made the show. Not like my team (the Nats) who's chances of ever making the play-offs is microscopic. So we thank you for the help, concern, and advice you have so generously given.

Powerful words expressed ~ a warm sharing of the heart…~ thank you for being our friend.

You are a “ special guardian angel“to so many on this forum.Your wisdom has helped guide them ~ in specific areas where their next stepping-stone looked a little wobbly…..Pre & post surgery…. You’ve made their journey safer by sharing your knowledge.

I think of you and Paul…and I smile…. 18 months… WOW!!!When I came to the forum… after surgery you were already here and I’ve kinda looked at you as being our resident Guru!!!And Spinbiscuit our “Gentle”man… J

Your words touched my heart ~ because so often we look to you for advice and wisdom….

Your words express so much about the strength this forum has to offer others and I’m so glad it was there for you and Paul during your 18 months.

I know I found myself eagerly awaiting your posting to questions that others have…..You shoot from the hip and you’ve had to use “tough love” in some instances…. And that’s what I’ve come to respect about you!!!Your honesty and your giving nature.

This journey will forever stay with us… and it’s a journey we will continue to travel as you have.Not only for the friendship that has helped us ~ but for the opportunity to help others who are just starting out. If we can help take just a little of the fear away… this is our hope!

With all my “chirping…chirping…chirping…” (remember …I am a mama bluebird ) I hope and pray that something I said along the way to others… may have comforted you when you needed it.So many times I started to write to you and then I would delete my posting before posting it…….. now I wish I had!!

Thank you ~ for you Swimom…..

Paul ~ Thank you for allowing us to travel with you both on your recover/healing journey.I’ve so enjoyed it when you’ve posted!!! Take care friend.

Keeping you both close in thoughts and prayers…

Take care and in friendship ~ I send you both a “Special Hug”…

Lee & Her Buddy

"GOD Bless You"

It's a little prayer "GOD Bless You"...

but it means so much each day,

It means may angels guard you

and guide you on your way.

~author unknown~

mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… 53 on surgery day

RRP April 3, 2006 PSA 4.6 Gleason 3+3=6 T2a Confined to Prostate

June 29th PSA Less than 0.1 Non-detectable

Aww. Bluebird, You're always saying such nice things. How I wish I had a little of your talent for putting all the right words to paper. When I think of you I see a Snow White like lady with a tiny little bluebird perched upon your hand standing in a forrest where the sun shines through the trees. It takes a gentle and inviting hand to make a little bird feel safe. Guardian Angels come in all sorts of packages. Your ability to be soft and warm yet strong and guiding makes for a temendously large wing we can all take a little comfort under. Buddy has a pretty amazing partner and I highly suspect vise-versa.

I'm so much more like a John Travolta guardian angel with dirty wings and an attitude. God gave us all a destination to head toward with this PCa but didn't give us any directions. Some of us are path finders while others are leaders through the forrest, past the trees where light can be seen. I don't want people to follow me. The way Paul and I took was pretty rough. It's best to leave the leading up to those who are more graceful when they walk! So I'll continue to point and you all can continue to lead. Most of you do indeed, step more gracefully than I :>)

You underestimate your own “being” Vicki… ~ “self, soul, mind, essence, spirit, core, heart, body, nature, personality, consciousness”.You are very powerful in your own way…. And we like the Swimom way!!!Dusty wings and attitude is what makes you “you”……

And mistake me if I’m wrong…. John Travolta had some pretty impressive movesLOL….

And so do you dear lady.Once again…. Thank you for you!I’m sure glad you are on our path with all of us.

Jetguy feels the emotion and strength in your words as so many do…. So ~ obviously…there’s a little “softness/sweetness” somewhere under those nice beige wings of yours~xoxo

You are so right about life in general having so many paths to choose from.The path with prostate cancer is certainly not a path we expect or want… but it is obviously placed in front of us for a reason.So ~ we all take small steps to find our way and if we look deep within ourselves we do have the strength!We just have to be open for it.

Yes… Buddy & I compliment each other in every way.We were able to pull each other’s strengths and with having our own strength… we had double to fight this.We had our slippery stones to contend with along the way and we just had to deal with them.

Not everyone will have this extra strength… so in my heart it feels like we have the link with this forum…to share ours with others who will need it.

Each person will have to walk their own journey… but with help helping hands…from friends who understand the walk and the unsure moments… a smoother path is placed before them.And if they do slip a little…. They know the next stone is just a little ways away because they have the knowledge and this takes away the fear.

Not all of us will have a smooth journey…. But… with all of our hands linking together… it makes it more comforting.I tuck each day a little tighter to my heart ~ knowing we are not promised tomorrow so will enjoy today and feel blessed if tomorrow’s sunshine touches my face and heart.

Take care friend…. ~ Lee and Her Buddy

P.S.Wonderful way to think of me… We did raise 5 baby Eastern Bluebirds after the neighbor’s cat killed the mama and papa.We released them and they did beautifully!!!

Swim,Simply a well wish to you of huge proportion. Your support here is heartwarming to say the least. I know a lot of people have been here longer than me and I just don't know all the stories from the beginning. Reading this thread and bluebirds from the start gives me a much better perspective about you girls. Not that I had a bad one in the first place.

Hey Swim,I'll keep it short and simple - We Love You.....Thanks!Best,MikeJune 2005 - Age 53 PSA 4.8 at regular physical October 2005 - After several rounds of anti-biotics, PSA 5.2 at Urlogist November 2005 - Biopsy negative July 2006 - PSA 5.9 at regular Physical October 2006 - After several more rounds of anti-biotics PSA 8.1 November 2006 - Second biopsy - Positive December 2006 - Gleason (3+4=7), Tumor T1c, CT Scan and Bone Scan Negative January 2, 2007 Robotic Prostatectomy, University of Rochester Medical Center - Tumor confined but larger than thought, only one nerve able to be spared. Margins clear. February 2007 - Three to fo ur pads a day, no erection with viagara. April 2007 - First Post-Surgical PSA 0.02. Down to one pad a day.July, 2007 - Six Month Post-op: PSA 0.04 No change in ED. October, 2007 - Nine Month Post-op: PSA back down to 0.02!Almost totally dry! Only slight improvement in ED - Will try injections if not improved by next appointment. January 2008: One Year Post-OP PSA 0.02 still dripping, but improving. Tried 500 dose of MUSE for ED, no luck. Will try 1000.